Issue 70: A New Age Part 7

Peter walked up the spaceship and technology portion of the collection and worked on identifying and learning how they worked until the serums were finished.

Once the machines had done their work, he went out and told them to gather around before giving Drax, Gamora, and Quill their upgrades. When they exited the pods, they each felt an incredible amount of power surging through their bodies.

"Holy crap, is this what Cap felt?" Quill asked as he clenched his fists.

"With this power, Ronan will fall by my hands!" Drax laughed joyfully.

Gamora grinned as she said, "You kept your word. Perhaps I finally stand a chance against my father."

"Right, pleasure doing business with you, but if Thanos is really as powerful as the ancients, what I gave you might not be enough. Start with Ronan, build up some teamwork, and then we'll take Thanos down together."

"What about us?" Rocket frowned.

"Here's some suits that increase your physical abilities dozens of times," Peter tossed them some wrist bands, "It's also made of some pretty durable and self-repairing materials."

"That's it?" Rocket looked at the others, "They get turned into Super Soldiers and we get suits?"

MJ smiled and said, "I got your back." 

She gave Rocket a Multi-Gun capable of using several forms of weapons, from lasers, ballistics, and explosives, this bad boy just needed on push of a button to transform it.

"Wicked," Rocket started gushing over the weapon.

"As for you Groot, this is a Plant growth gun. I improved Plant-Man's design and made it so it can not only grow plants but make them stronger. So, if you shoot yourself with it, it will increase the density of your body and magnifies your ability to photosynthesize solar energy."

"I am Groot?"

"No, it can't grow other Groots," MJ chuckled, "You have to use a seed or existing plant."

"I am Groot."

"Well, I suppose you could," MJ rubbed her chin.

"You understand him?"

"Oh, most certainly," MJ pointed to her suit, "My suit can translate all forms of language. It's Semi-Telepathic."

"Neat," Quill said as he put his clothes back on.

Gamora did the same before she said, "Just one issue, how do we find Ronan?"

Peter grinned, "Now I can help with that. But first, you guys need some training to fight as a team."

Peter opened a portal to Kamar-Taj and entered the time room. He spent around a week running them through drills and acting as their therapist, "Please, step into Doctor Spider-Man's office."

Rocket had a lot of abandonment issues and major hate for authority. Peter had to web him to the chair to get him to talk.

"You know, if you hate authority so much, why not become it and change what it means."

"The hell is that supposed to mean?" Rocket nipped at the webbing, "And what the hell is this stuff made of?"

"I'm saying that if you become a leading authority, you can stop people from experiencing the pains and suffering you went through. Quill, Gamora, Drax, and most certainly Groot, would die to help you achieve such a goal."

"Groot I get, but those losers? They barely know me. They'd never fight for me!" Rocket was nearly in tears.

"Then give them a reason," Peter leaned in, "Give them a reason to fight WITH you, give them a reason to consider you family, Rocket. If you keep going like this, no one will want you around."

Peter removed the webbing, "Now, go train with the others. I have another patient."

Peter Quill came in and was heavily against the idea of therapy. However, once Peter got him to speak, he opened up like a tap with its valves ripped off. 

"So, abandonment issues, daddy and mommy issues, and a lot of anger. Quill, you are one unhealthy man."

Hey!"

"But, you're also empathic, clever, and when you're not being a total douche, you're a pretty nice guy. Peter, I understand that you're hurting, and you need answers. However, if you keep on going down this path, you'll miss out on a family that's right in front of you."

Quill looked at the door and thought of the others that had joined him on this little journey.

"Blood don't make you family, Quill. Sticking by each other, fighting for each other, helping each other, and caring for each other, that's a family."

"Ugh, god that's sappy,"

"Shut up, you know you like the sappy stuff," Peter chuckled and opened the door.

Next up was Groot.

"I am groot."

"Yep, you're the sanest one in the group. Have a nice day." Peter opened the door.

Drax came in and was very honest about his life. A little too honest.

"Drax, I don't need to hear about how your father made you."

"Why? It's a beautiful story," 

Petr rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Drax, vengeance is important, and I'm not going to pretend like I care about mass murdering planet killer. However, I want you to think, would your family want to see you as you are now? What would your daughter say if she saw her father only living for revenge?" 

"I…"

"If you're going to fight Ronan, do it to bring their souls to justice, not to satisfy your desire for revenge."

"Thank you, Spider-Person, I understand now. I will kill Ronan for justice!" Drax declared as he pulled out his knife and stood up.

"Right…that works too," Peter patted him on the back.

His last patient was rather…stern and stubborn.

"This is stupid,"

"Daughter of a psychotic warlord says what?"

"What?"

Peter snickered before he held up his hand and said, "Honestly, Gamora. I can completely empathize with you. He came to your planet, killed half the population, your parents included, and then kidnapped you. If I were in your shoes, I'd want to run a dagger through his throat."

"Accurate."

"What about the children of Thanos you told me about? Did you ever have a friend you could confide in? Was there no one to give you any comfort? Wasn't there a single person that made life just a little bit better?"

Gamora looked away while thinking of the one person she could even consider.

"You don't have to answer. I just want you to know, that there are good people out there, people that can be there for you and help. I'm hoping this group can show you that, be that for you, and just between you and me, I think Quill has a little crush on you."

"He could never crush me!" Gamora frowned.

"Sorry, that's earth slang for he's developing romantic feelings for you."

Gamora looked completely baffled, "Whaa?"

"I say give him a chance. Love can change a person and give them strength in ways people would normally find impossible." Peter pointed to the door as he said, "Back to training jollyrancher green."

She stood up and started walking towards the door, "You…wife is a very powerful warrior. I respect that. She said that she kicked your butt a few times during training. Is this true?"

"She cheated," Peter gave a pout. He could still recall the times she used seduction as a weapon, and damn it if he didn't enjoy it a bit.

"I'll have to ask her for some tips," Gamora left the room.

They trained the group for almost three months with standard therapy sessions. He could see that the bond their shared in the lore was starting to show. During their fights, they cooperated and even managed to wind the two Spider-Heroes at times.

"Okay, training is over, how do you all feel about taking down a tyrant?"

"I'm ready," Quill said as he put on his headphones.

"I am Groot!" 

"I'm looking forward to crushing that guy's face in," Gamora cracked her knuckles.

"Ronan's life is mine," Drax said as he drew his new adamantium daggers.

"I just want the bounty for myself…but if you play your cards right, I might share." Rocket grinned.

He used his Space and Soul Gemstones to location Ronan and teleport in the middle of his ship.

Standing across from the guardians of the galaxy, Peter smirked and said, "There's your bad guy. Take em down!"

"Sister!" Nebula frowned.

"You have a sister?" MJ lifted a brow.

"Who are you?" Ronan looked around at the group the jumped through the portal.

"I guess you could call us the Guardians of the Galaxy," Quill said as he aimed his gun at Ronan.

"The what?" Nebula and Ronan said at the same time.

Peter made some popcorn and held it out for MJ to eat and asked, "So…how long do you think this fight will last?"

"Are we really going to just let them kill this guy? I mean, he doesn't seem too strong to me. Aren't we kind of bullying them?"

"Are you actually defending a man who's slaughtered entire worlds?"

"Touché," MJ nodded her head.

"Ronan!" Drax yelled as he stood up.

"Need any help?" Star Lord asked.

"Please, let me have this," Drax said before he readied his blades.

"You think you are a match for me?!" Ronan laughed as he summoned an armada of Chitauri troops.

However, the Guardians and the Spider-Heroes leapt into combat, dispatching alien after alien at incredible speeds while Drax charged Ronan.

"For my family!" Drax clashed with the war criminal's hammer.

"How are you this strong?! No Kylosian could ever match my blows!"

"I learned humidity and trained hard,"

"It's humility you moron!" Rocket shouted as he ran on the ceiling and shot down dozens of Chitauri soldiers, "GET SOME YOU STINKING ALIEN BUGS!" 

"I AM GROOOT!" Groot sent his vines and branches out to tear through rows of enemies.

Peter rushed forward and punched, kicked, and webbed up his foes, killing the Chitauri aliens in single blows.

MJ hoped around the battlefield and tore through her enemies like they were made of paper. Using her Technopathic abilities, she took over the ship's defense system and let them shoot the Chitauri.

Quill switched between using his Element Gun and melee as he ripped and tore through Chitauri soldiers without little to no issue.

"I see you've betrayed, father." Nebula growled as she felt her fingers twitching.

"I don't want to fight you, sister." Gamora held her arms up.

"Then why are you here?"

"To put a stop to Thanos' madness. I'm tired of being his weapon…aren't you?"

Nebula ran at her sister and threw a punch. However, Gamora grabbed it and said, "I'm not fighting you."

"Fight damn you!" Nebula tried to punch her with her free arm. Yet, once again, Gamora grabbed hold of her fist.

Before she could do anything, Gamora pulled her sister into a hug and said, "I'm sorry."

Drax was going toe to toe with Ronan, every blow shook the space around them while their weapons made sparks of light every time they clashed.

"Where did you get such weapons? Never before has a blade survived my hammer!"

"Jealous,"

"No, I simply wish to know the maker of the weapon I'll take from your cold dead corpse," Ronan grinned.

The bands on Drax's wrists started to glow as he shouted, "The only one dying here is you!"

Drax held his daggers crossed at the tip of the hammer's grip when His strength was suddenly magnified. He pushed back and kicked Ronan's leg, snapping it like as twig as he forced the giant onto his knees.

"This is impossible!" Ronan shouted.

"No, it is not," Drax let his dagger fly as he stabbed Ronan right in the throat.

"Justice, for all those you have killed, my family included."

Gamora was still hugging her sister when she looked Nebula I the eye and said, "I'm sorry."

Nebula was shocked to see Ronan fall so easily, and even more shocked at her sister's strength. She was never this strong, at least not to the point she couldn't put up a fight.

"You can't do this to me!" Nebula struggled, "Why now? After all these years, after he gutted me and took me apart piece by piece?"

"Because I couldn't! If I showed so much as a hint of affection towards you, Thanos wouldn't have stopped with just replacing one part. He would torture you to get to me, and it would be far worse than what you have already experienced."

A Chitauri head rolled on the ground next Gamora before Peter landed next to her, "You know, if you hate Thanos too, I can help you get away from him. I can even fix what he did to your body."

Peter placed his hand on her forehead and used the Reality Topaz to rebuild her entire body.

The metallic parts fell to the ground before her long blond hair sprouted from her head. 

Nebula touched her face with an astonished expression when Gamora suddenly hugged Peter.

She quickly backed off with a more than awkward expression as she said, "Thanks."

"Who is he?" Nebula asked.

"He's… my therapist," Gamora replied.

"What's a therapist?" 

"I'm someone she can talk to and vent her feelings with. I also offer her advice. Though, I'm not licensed...don't tell anybody."

"Hi! I'm MJ, a good friend of Gamora," Spider-Woman dropped down next to them.

"You made a friend?" Nebula asked with wide eyes and a look of disbelief.

"She made lots of friends," Quill said as his rocket thrusters stopped and his feet hit the ground.

"I am Groot!"

"Yeah, yeah, she can be called a friend, for now. No telling when they'll stab us in the back," Rocket rolled his eyes.

"I am Drax, slayer of Ronan."

Nebula looked at Peter and said, "Why did you…help me?"

"You're Gamora's sister. She told me about you during our therapy sessions. She also told me you hate Thanos just as much as she does. So, we could use an ally like you to fight him."

"You do possess strange powers. I suppose it might be possible. Is this why you betrayed Thanos? Because you found a strong accomplice?"

"Actually, I had planned to just run until I could find something strong enough to hurt him," Gamora answered with a sad expression, "Spider-Man informed me that…I should have taken you with me somehow…I'm sorry, Nebula."

Nebula looked the other way and hid her tears before she almost laughed as she thought, "I can cry again."

"So, now that Ronan's dead, I'll send you guys to Xandar to get your bounty."

"I call dibs on the ship!" MJ shouted as she saw Peter's eyes widen.

"Damn it, she beat me to it. Oh well,"

"You plan to steal a ship that belongs to Thanos? I don't know if you're brave or stupid," Nebula commented.

"He could track it back to your planet, I highly suggest not taking that course of action," Gamora added.

"Oh, you don't have to worry about trackers. I'm a Technopath, I can take this entire ship apart and rebuild it in a snap," MJ demonstrated as she placed her hand to the cold metal floors and suddenly jettisoned the remaining Chitauri into the vacuum of space. She then fired on the neighboring ships, destroying them while removing all forms of tracking hardware and communication devices.

 "We good to go?" Peter smirked.

"Yep!"

Peter opened a massive portal leading to a barren moon.

"What?" Nebula's eyes widened, "Your therapist is a practitioner of the mystic arts?"

"Yes," Gamora nodded her head. 

"This isn't Xandar?" Rocket said as he crossed his arms.

"Oh, we know. Just give me a second to store the ship," MJ said as she watched Peter open another Portal.

"There you go, Xandar is right there," Spider-Man smirked.

"You're going to have to teach me that trick," Quill said as he grabbed Ronan's body and hauled it over his shoulder.

MJ waited until they all passed through to exit the ship and stored it in her bag of holding.

After that, they jumped inside the portal while the Guardians stood at the Center for the Nova Corps activity.

Peter pulled out an ancient relic the Nova Corps had been in search of for countless years. He walked up to the front desk and said, "Hey! Get your boss,"

"And who are you,"

Peter placed the helmet in front of him and said, "Someone who has come to return something of yours."

The Nova Corps member looked at the helmet with bugged-eyes when Quill came up and threw the body of Ronan next to it.

"We're here to collect a bounty on Ronan the Destroyer,"

The receptionist nearly fainted as he quickly fumbled pressing his communication device.

While he was talking with a superior, MJ shook Peter and said, "Now this is an alien planet. This place is incredible, Peter. The technology, all the alien species, and the planet itself! I can't wait to explore!"

"It can be a date," Peter snickered.

"I'm looking forward to it, Tiger." MJ seductively whispered her nickname for him in his ear.

"Why can't we do something that cute," Quill thought as he looked at Gamora.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Gamora lifted a brow.

"Uh, no…er, say, after we get paid, do you want to maybe go out to eat? I can show you around Earth?"

"I do miss the food," Gamora almost licked her lips.

"Does this Earth place have good food?" Nebula asked.

"Oh, the best," Rocket rubbed his tummy as he thought of all the food Peter brought them during their time training in Kamar-Taj.

"I am Groot,"

"I know that there's good stuff out here too," Rocket rolled his eyes.

"Alien cuisine, I can't wait!" MJ smiled.

"The Nova Prime will see you now," The clerk said as his eyes were glued to Ronan's corpse.